Does not reflect possible iPad 3 screen upgrade

Apple has sent out notifications to iOS developers that future updates to apps now require higher-resolution, 960x640 (Retina Display) compatible screenshots or the apps will not be approved. The change is a minor one (previous guidelines suggested, but did not require, Retina Display-level screenshots) and reflects the company's burgeoning base of iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and fourth-generation iPod Touch users, all of whom have higher-resolution screens.

Developers can update their screenshots at any time using iTunes Connect, and the company also mentions other sizes for various other purposes (icons, etc) that include 960x600, 640x960 and 640x920 pixel sizes. Images must be at least 72dpi and use the RGB color space and standard graphics formats (JPG/JPEG, PNG or TIF/TIFF).

The store automatically scales up any images or apps from the old 480x320 if necessary, but a large number of older iPhone apps still do not support the higher resolution. The change does not reflect rumored plans for the iPad (which uses a still-higher base resolution of 1024x768 but is not considered a "retina" display because of the lower dots per inch) to double its own resolution in its next iteration, expected sometime in the spring.

The iPhone models and iPod Touch with Retina Display use smaller-than-normal pixels at 326dpi to produce images where the typical human eye cannot distinguish individual pixels. The iPad currently has a 132ppi dot pitch.

Currently, Apple's iPhone 3GS is the only smartphone model still offered by the company that does not sport a Retina Display. Despite its age and lower resolution, the model was the third top-selling smartphone model across all brands in the United States in the calendar fourth quarter, topping any single model of Android phone. The iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 were the top and second-most popular sellers. [via AppleInsider]

by MacNN Staff